Underdog Fantasy is no longer offering its pick’em classic games in North Carolina

A notice went out to North Carolina Underdog Fantasy customers late this afternoon informing users that the daily fantasy sports operator’s popular pick’em classic games would no longer be offered in the state.

An Underdog Fantasy spokesperson declined to comment on the decision.

Underdog offering free-to-play pick’em in North Carolina

Notices went out to North Carolina users late this afternoon informing them of the change. Any entries submitted before the change will still be valid and will be paid out, according to the company.

In its place, Underdog Fantasy has informed North Carolina users that it will be offering free-to-play pick’em contests. Customers will be able to build entries and play in free entries to win withdrawable cash that can be used across all Underdog platforms. An initial five free entries will be available each day to North Carolina users.

It has been a difficult few weeks for Underdog Fantasy and the DFS landscape as a whole. Earlier this month, Underdog Fantasy, PrizePicks, and Betr received cease-and-desist letters from the Florida Gaming Control Commission ordering the operators to stop “offering or accepting illegal bets or wagers from [Florida] residents” and “conducting any illegal lotteries” within 30 days of Jan. 31.

Both Underdog Fantasy and PrizePicks informed their Florida customers they would cease all Florida operations by Friday, March 1.

The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration also sent cease-and-desist letters to PrizePicks and Underdog Fantasy, alleging the companies were participating as unlicensed sports betting operators in violation of Amendment 100 to the Arkansas Constitution.

Under Arkansas law, traditional daily fantasy sports operate under the protection of Act 1075 of the 2017 regular session, the department noted. The law does not allow these operators to offer what it believes to be unlicensed sports betting.

Both still currently offer their contests in the state.

Underdog Seeking North Carolina Sports Betting License

Underdog Sports hopes to expand its gaming in North Carolina as the operator seeks its second sports betting license in the country. The company is one of eight expected operators when North Carolina launches online sports betting on Monday, March 11.

Each sports betting applicant is required by the state to partner with either a North Carolina sports franchise, arena, NASCAR track, or PGA Tour course to be eligible for a license. Underdog Sports announced in January it had reached a partnership with McConnell Golf.

McConnell Golf owns and operates Sedgefield Country Club, a private golf club, located in Greensboro and hosts the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship.

If the license is awarded to Underdog, North Carolina would likely be the first state the company offers sports betting. It is currently licensed to offer Ohio online sports betting, but has not yet set a launch date.